Multi-pronged approach needed to address math failures - Benjamin

The Ministry of Education says a mix of strategies have to be employed to improve students' critical thinking in math.

National Mathematics Coordinator, Dr Tamika Benjamin, says while journal writing is a credible methodology, a singular approach will not fully counter the issues many of the country's students face. She was responding to comments by educator, Ronald Beckford, in today's Sunday Gleaner who urged math teachers to look at journal writing as an approach to encourage critical thinking among students.

Benjamin says journal writing allows students to justify their understanding of the principles and concepts they are taught by documenting them, but she says the strategy may not work for all students, many of whom are usually boys.

She says it is, therefore, important for teachers to also develop a technique that encourages students to ask questions in class about the concepts and principles, so that issues can be addressed and critical thinking developed through discussion.